paulr

Is there any way of doing a diy head clean on my vcr,its gone all fuzzy?
Old vcr btw,so no harm done if it dont work.

ozzy

You can buy some head cleaning cassettes. That would be my first step before doing any more serious cleaning.

Stefan

paulr

One minute there is a picture,then a chewing noise,then no picture.
Tried other tapes too.

ozzy

chewing noise doesn't sound healthy. Can you spot any surface damage to the tape after they've been in the machine?

Stefan

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

Well, a head cleaning tape is a good way to start, but I've had to dismantle a machine before to clean it. A cotton bud soaked in meths, gently wiped across the heads worked wonders.

The heads, as you may or may not know, are located in the slots at the base of the drum assembly. These slots are about 5mm x 0.5mm. You may have to remove the drum to gain adequate access to them - possibly not a DIY job unless you've seen it done before.

paulr

A head cleaner has done it.
Cotton bud/Meths.thanks,i'll remember that next time.

Cheers
Paul.

mart360

Isopropyl alcohol is ok 2

a business card soaked along one edge and run in the drum groove

usually clears a lot of the crap

usually caused by old tapes dropping material onto the heads


Mart

The Zohan

Paul
YHM

+
Your problem sounds like dirty pinch wheels as well as heads. what happens is that oxide from the tapes sticks to the wheel, once this starts it attracts more oxide to this this part of the wheel, usually an outside edge, the more depsited the more the tape is pulled to the high point caused by the oxide. A tape cleaner may work but will need to be a wet one so to speak. best is to remove the top cover and clean the wheels and head with isoprol alcohol. It is dead easy to do. Isoprol is available from chemists and Hifi shops, it is what is used with wet cleaners, the problem with wet cleaners is that they often do not clean the wheels/rollers properly.

Hope this helps



[Edited by Paul Habgood - 1/30/2004 2:50:50 PM]

daz748

Never use cotton buds on the videohead, there ok on the audiohead, tape guides and pinch roller though. Sounds like pinch roller is pulling the tape up or down the guides, could be dirt build up on the pinch roller but more likely the pinch roller is worn.
Best way to clean heads is meth's on a buisnes card held against the head drum, turn the head drum but keep the card still any up and down movement can snap the heads.

Darren

Diesel

I've used aftershave on cotton bud in an emergency! Just be gentle with the heads and you'll be fine. Maplin/RS etc do lint free swabs (bit like chammy leather] and I never leave home without them!

paulr

Thanks guys.
Tomorrow i'll give the wheels a clean as well.The head cleaner worked for the head,but i see what you mean about dirt on the wheels needing a wet clean.

Ajax

Play a brand new tape from begining to end, for a gentle wipe

it works